I've posted before about the worrisome black mare at our barn, and about her promising progress at the trainer's. Well, she's back with us again and her demeanour when you bring her in from turnout is completely different and quite civilized.

On my day off on Tuesday, I happened to be at the barn when the black mare's people arrived, and was a first-hand witness to: the black mare walking quietly into the barn, standing patiently on cross-ties, and then when she was ridden going around with every appearance of calm, and no more stiffness than, say, Mitzi or any other equally green horse learning to relax in circles and come down on contact. Truly, you wouldn't believe it was the same pair.

Also, the kid and her mother spoke with anticipation of lessons with Coach Girl to keep them on track.

So far: win all around, and apparently what was needed was to learn what the right thing feels like. They don't look like they want to go back to their old scary habits at all.

There is not enough "Yay!" in the world...